Driving in France vs. Lebanon: Key Safety Differences
Explore the intriguing variations in road regulations between France and Lebanon, crucial for ensuring your journey's security. Notable distinctions include bus lanes, speed limits, and the use of cycle paths. Understanding these contrasts is essential for a safe and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| France | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Used as a separation line in some areas. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
lebanon:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
france:
Exclusive for bicycles.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
lebanon:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
france:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| France | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
france:
50 km/h
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
france:
30 km/h
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
lebanon:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
lebanon:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
lebanon:
Yes
Signals
| France | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not used in Lebanon |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| France | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| France | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Yes, annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
lebanon:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common through checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial for violations |
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
lebanon:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
france:
0.00%
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Roundabouts
| France | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal when preparing to enter |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Emergency Services
| France | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| France | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Fines and potential incarceration |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Possible; often paid at stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days